Running Away: The Lakes Region, New Hampshire

Appalachian Trail North.

"Isn’t that in Connecticut?” It’s a question that often arises when the subject of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region comes up in conversation. Located about two hours north of Boston, the area offers runners scenic, rural alternatives to the paved sidewalks of suburban America.

Lakes Winnepesaukee, Squam and Newfound are the largest of the 1,300 lakes scattered across New Hampshire and are the main focus of the district. Quiet country roads are plentiful throughout the region, and runners can find both flat and hilly courses along the lakes and nearby farmlands. A cool swim after a hard warm-weather training session completes the workout.

One of the most often-climbed mountains in the Lakes Region is Mount Major, on the south side of Lake Winnepesaukee. From Laconia, the largest town in the Lakes Region, follow Route 11 east past the junction with Route 11D and in less than a mile you’ll see the trailhead parking lot on the right- hand side. Follow the trail up Mount Major for a round-trip three-mile run. It may be short, but there are plenty of good hills to challenge the seasoned runner. In general, New Hampshire trails are very rough, with rocks and protruding tree roots, but the path up Mount Major does not get technically difficult until the very top. Once there, you’ll want to proceed slowly anyway to take in the glorious views of the lake.

Another great place to run is Sandwich Notch Road on the north side of Squam Lake, north of Laconia. A dirt road, it runs 11 miles from Route 113 in Center Sandwich to Route 49, and though you won’t see great lake vistas, it’s a nearly trafficless hill with a soft surface. To get there, follow Grove Street north out of Center Sandwich; it turns into Diamond Ledge Road. Park your car on Grove, and run up Diamond Ledge about two miles. Just after the top of the hill Diamond Ledge becomes Sandwich Notch Road. If you run all the way to the end of Sandwich Notch you’ll gain 900 feet of elevation in a little over five miles. In winter, it’s closed to traffic except for the dog-sled races that are held there. Many single-track trails branch out from “the Notch Road,” as it is known, for runners to enjoy.

Although most road racing events take place in late spring, summer and fall, there are a few winter races for the brave, such as Concord’s Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis in December and Penacook’s Winter Challenge Road Race in February, when temperatures can plunge below zero. In general, most races are small local events. The Belmont Old Home Day 10 Mile Road Race is held in conjunction with the town fair and takes place the second Saturday in August. The race’s $5 entry fee makes it a bargain at 10 cents per hill. Winding through the town of Belmont, the 10-miler is notorious for being one of the toughest hilly courses around. But despite the common finish-line mantra, “I’ll never do that again,” participants return year after year.

The newest addition to New Hampshire’s running scene is the Running Times Reach the Beach Relay on September 29-30, 2000. Modeled on the Hood to Coast Relay in Oregon, this 200-mile-long adventure relay stretches over two days. It starts at Loon Mountain in Lincoln and follows the Kancamangus Highway, a great place from which to view fall foliage. The course makes a very hilly descent through the Lakes Region, along the shores of Squam and Winnepesaukee, to the coast and finish at Hampton Beach. Call (508) 881-4505 or visit www.rtbrelay.com for more information.

Visitors can find running partners through Club Northeast, the local running club, based in Laconia. Members range in age from 15 to 70 years old and abilities span novice to advanced. The club meets most of the year at Opechee Park for large-group long runs on Sundays at 7 a.m. During the summer the truly dedicated also meet Tuesdays at 5:30 a.m. for runs and speed work. A favorite route is the five-mile loop around Opechee Bay, an inlet of Lake Winnepesaukee. In winter, club members often host runs from their homes, where runners are invited back after their workouts for hot coffee and mini-breakfasts.

Even in the dead of winter, runners can usually find someone willing to do a 20-mile workout in preparation for Boston or other spring marathons. Race schedules and events are posted in the club newsletter (contact Greg Jenkins at [email protected] or Club Northeast president Chandra Engelbert at [email protected]). The club usually fields a team for the Fred Brown Winnepesaukee Relay, a 69-mile race around Lake Winnepesaukee that takes place in September.